DUBAI, February 18: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said the UAE and Pakistan have developed strong relationships over a period of time and it will further strengthen in future. In an interview with Khaleej Times after visiting the Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, Qureshi said the UAE is a time-tested friend and Pakistan is committed to support its sovereignty and safety. “We are strategic partners and will remain strategic partners on all fronts. Either it is economy or diplomacy or politics or defence, we stand with the UAE and will protect its interests on all fronts,” Qureshi told Khaleej Times. He said Pakistan has already condemned Yemen’s Houthi rebels’ attacks on UAE, calling the act a violation of the principle of state sovereignty while demanding an end to such military strikes. “Such acts of terrorism are a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the UAE. They also pose a serious threat to the overall peace and stability in the region and must be stopped immediately,” Qureshi said. The foreign minister paid rich tribute to the UAE leadership for hosting a successful Expo despite the challenges in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. “I’m impressed to see the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. All credit goes to the UAE leadership for hosting such a huge show with a success,” Qureshi said. Qureshi invited foreign ministers of Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Islamabad Summit next month to discuss important issues such as Palestine, Kashmir, Islamophobia and climate change, among others. “I have invited the UAE foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to attend the OIC Islamabad Summit on March 22 and 23. He has prior commitments for Expo 2020 that will conclude on March 31st, but still he will try to attend the two-day event or send his representative,” Qureshi said. “I will be visiting the national pavilions of some friendly nations today. I will also go to OIC Pavilion at the Expo 2020 to extend the Islamabad Summit invitation to all OIC foreign ministers,” he said. The Pakistan foreign minister also highlighted Afghan humanitarian crisis at his media briefing and said the international community must act to address severe shortage of food and medicine in the war-hit nation. “World should help Afghanistan and must pay attention to resolve its crisis as 38 million Afghan population has been facing serious issues due to sanctions and blockage of its foreign exchange reserves,” he said. “We have been hosting four million Afghan brothers and sisters for the past four decades and now don’t have capacity to receive another influx of refugees. If we will not address the Afghan concerns, then economic migrants will knock the European door,” the foreign minister said, adding that the sanctions on Afghan government should be eased and gradual steps should be taken to resolve the crisis. Qureshi also shed light on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visit to Russia next week and said it will be a historic to propel bilateral economic and defence relations as well as pave the way for trade with central Asian states. – DNA
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